Boiler cleaner



Aug.19,193o. Y -C, L, HOWSE 1,773,458`

BOILER CLEANER Filed, nec., s, 19,24 3 sheets-sheet 1 C. L. HOWSE 'ug- 1'9, v1930.

CLEANER f BOILER Filed DGO, 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 19, 1913s()Y f f UNI-'reni Vs 'rivres 'PA'l-"5131\1fri,OFFICE- oimrrs n HoWsE, or nnrncrm, M rcnrefen, residuen-y ro n reMoNDreoWER: SPE- CIALTY CORPORATION; or nnfrnorr, MICHIGAN, CORPORATION oFYMrcHrGAN'V' i the side wall water legs of the boiler BOILER'cLEANER Appueationreied neemberps, 1924. serial Na '254,676-` The invention relates to boiler cleaners and has vam'ongits objects to provide a boiler` "cleaner for discharging jets of cleaning-fluid adjacent parts of the boiler to'be cleaned. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a boiler cleaner especially useful in connec tion with locomotive boilers although not f necessarily limited thereto.

`Referring to the drawings :--L

`Iiigure 1 represents'a diagrammatic plan Viewl'partly in section of the rear of a locoinotiv'eshowing a lpair'of blowers located in Figure 2 isla fragmentary elevation view of the same; -f j Figure 3 is a plan view in section of one of the blowers shown in Figure 1, the blower being in its projected position; K.

-10-10 of Figure VT8.

LFigure l is any endV View of the blower shownjinFigure 3;

'Figure 5 is a 'sectional View along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 isa sectional view along the line 6-6 `of Figure 3 position; i y

Figure 8. is a sectional view [showing Va modified.construction of my blower;

. Figure 9 is an end View of the same, and Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line 'Referring tothe drawings 10 indicates a I locomotive having a cab 11, iirechamber12,

i boilertubes 13, boiler tube sheet 14 and side walljwater legs 15, all of which parts Vmay be of the usual construction. Mountedprefer! ablyin'each waterleg isa blower 'A'. Refervrlngto Figure 3, each blower A comprises a stationary housingror 'casing' 16 `having Vsecured thereto a forwardly projecting tubular` part '17 vlocated within asleeve18 forming a housing for theblower A .within the water leg. Slidably mounted within the part'l? f fis a sleeve 19 forming an' outer wall of a pluigure 7 is aviewof the parts shown inv Figure 3,l theV blower beingy in its retracted n Y Y respectively with the passages 20 and adapted to successively yregister* with ,Stationary/port 26 whereby-cleaning fluid, such as steam,- may rality 'off longitudinally extendingipassages 20, the side walls of rwhich'are formed by the walls 21 extending radially from the central rod 22 tothe sleeve'19. The inner end of sleeve 19 is closed by a head 19 which sleeve 19 Land rotatably carried therewith is`A a blower head 23 provided with a plurality.

of discharge nozzles" 211 communicating lre-V spectively with' the passages 2Q. lThe nozzles 24' are directedV "atfdifferent 'inclinations tated jets, of cleaningiliuid such `v-as steam',

air, etc., willjbe directed to successivelytrace spaced parallel vertical linesacross the tube sheet', each` of the blowers A, where two blow- Y ersA are employed,'cleaningV substantially half [fromnozzles 24, to discharge'only when each nozzle is directed toward theI tube sheet, as

the blo-wer head is rotated or oscillated, I provide a plurality of' ports 425 communicating be suppliedV by a steam vsupply pipe 27fand chamber 28 successively tothe nozzles 221.

. The rod.22hasfa rearwardly lextending part j ing openingslfor slidably receiving pins 32whichpare rigidlycarried by the stationby apin 33,*is" a collar B4 whichmayhave apin 35 projecting therefrom adapted to con'- i tact with a pin 3S carriedby an annular member 36,,` the'latterbeinglcarried by a plateBO secured tothe member 30 as at 302.

'A. thrust bearing37 is'adapted torelieve the thrust caused by the'projection ofthe blower head', yas shown in Figure13,' and-permit ready rotationoroscillation of the blower `nozzles ary housing l16. vSecured'to thepart 29as substantially complete 360O rotation ofthe in this position. Ars illustrated, in Figures 3 and 7, the plate 3() has a recess 303 for receiving the annular member 36 and thrust bearing 37 and the recess 303 has a lateral extension 304 for receiving one end of the pin 36. For imparting oscillation or rotation to the blower head 23 and sleeve 19, I provide a worm 38 keyed to an operating shat't 39 which extends to a point convenient for operation as in the cab of the locomotive where, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a hand wheel 40 serves to produce oscillation or rotation of the shaft 39. The worm 38 meshes with a worm wheel 41, one end of which is supported, as at 42. Fitted to the worm wheel 41 is an extension 44, rotatably mounted in stationary sleeve 43. Said extension 44 is keyed at 45 to shaft 29, whereby rotary movement of the worm wheel 41 is imparted to the shaft 29. Springs 46 serve to normally retain the parts in retracted position, as shown ink Figure 7, the blower head 23 being housed within the sleeve 18 protected from the heat of the fire chamber. Admission ot' steam to the supply pipes 27 may be regulated by suitable valves 47 preferably arranged tor operation in the cab ot' the locomotive.

In operation, with the vparts ot the blower in retracted position as shown in Figure 7 steam is admitted by valve 47 to one (or bot-h) ot the blowers, the steam passing through supply pipe 27, entering chamber 28 and thence around by pass ports 50 to in back ol piston 19 to project the blower forwardly into the position shown in Figure 3. team will than pass through port 26 and such ot' ports 25 as may be registering therewith, the

Vsteam then passing longitudinally ot the passages 2O communicating with the ports 25 to discharge the steam tl rough the nozzles 24. The pressure of the steam acting against piston 19 and the blower head z3 will retain the blower in projected position as long as the steam is being` supplied to the blower.

The operator in the cab 11 then rotates or oscillates lthe handwheel 40, the motion being transferred through shaft 39, worm 38, gear wheel 41, part 29 to the rod Thus the sleeve 19 and blower head 23 are caused to oscillate or rotate successively registering ports 25 with the stationary port 26 whereby successive nozzles 24 direct jets of steam vertically across the tube sheet, the blowing arc of each nozzle being regulable by the length of the port openings 26 and 2,5. As shown in Figure 5, two of the six ports illustrated register at all times with the port 26 but such may be varied at will.

lVhen pins 35 and 36 are used, the latter pin acts as a stop for the :former pin at each blower in opposite directions, the handwheel 46 in this instance being oscillated within the limits defined by the pin 36,

Should it be desired to continuously rotate the blower in a single direction, the pin 36 may be removed by removing plate 30, handwheel 40 in this instance being rotated continuously in the same direction.

After operation ot one of the blowers A, the valve 47 controlling passage oi steam thereto is operated to shut oi'l the steam supply whereupon the springs 46 will act to retract the blower. rl`he other blower A may then be operated in a like manner.

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 10, I have shown a modiiication ot my blower. Y In these Figures the blow r A comprises a. fixed housing or casing 16 within which rod 22" is rotatably and reciprocably mounted. To the forward end of rod 22' is fixed the blower head 23 the latter comprising a plurality ot port-s 24 varying in direction as described in connection with the blower shown in Figure 3. rhe ports 24 have rearwardly extending passages 20 terminating in ports 25.V

Reciprocably mounted with blower head 23 and rod 22 but splined against rotation is a member 47 lined to sleeve 48 which has a bearing in the housing 16. Steam is supplied at 27 to the passage 28 and passes thence to supply port 26. To the rear oit rod 22 is fixed a plunger 49 normally forced rearwardly under the influences ot spring 46to retract the rod 22, blower head 2 3', member 47 and sleeve 48. The rod 22 and blower head 23 arevoscillated or rotated as before through vthe action of the operating shatt 39, vorm 3S and worm wheel 41. Y

In operation, when steam is admitted to the chamber 28 through the supply pipe 27, the blower is automatically projected to the position shown in Figuretl. As the lshaft 39 is oscillated or rotated trom the cab `o t' the locomotive the4 movement is trans terrcd through the gearing 8S', 40 and rod 22 to the blower head 23 causing the ports 25 thereof to successively register with supF ply port 26. The succe sive nozzles 24' di rect jets oit steam vertically across the tube sheet, the blowing arc of each nozzle being determined, as before, by the length of the port openings 26 and 25. fitter the blow` ing operation, the steam supply to the blower shut oil, tac spring 46 then operating Vto return the parts to their retracted position. team may then be ysupplied to the Vother blower, itbeing understood thattwo of such blowers are preferably' provided shown in Figure 1.

lhat I cl im as my invention is zl. A boiler cleaner comprising a casing having a cleaning fluid inlet and supply port, projectable blower head joui-nailed in said casing having Aa. plurality ot' ports adapted to kbe successively placed in communi cation with said supply, port upon. relative movement of theblower head and c, ,y and lill having a cleaning-fluid inlet and a supply port,rk a fblower Jhead `,jofurnalled in said f casiA ing havinga-pluralityof ports adaptedto be successively placed infcommunication with said supply port upon relative movementof theblower head and casing, means for; relativelyfnioving the blowerhead andV casing whereby said Asuccessive communication' iseffectedK and va plurality' of variably directed' nozzles, eachA of said nozzles communicating with yone of said last-.named-poi'ts.

3. A .boilercleanerwcomprising a casing:

having a`cleaiii1ig fluid inlet anda supply port, a blower' head journalled inA said casing having a plurality of ports adapted tonbev successivelyplaced in communication with said supply port upc-nl relative movement of the blower head. 'and casing, means forrela-y tively rmoving the blower head and casing wherebysaid successive communication is effected, and i ay plurality of nozzles communicating ywith said last-named ports, said-noz.-

lzles varying inr their angularity withrespectk A K 1 strictingpth-esflow: offcleanilng 7lnid'fas' the to the'axisof saidblower. l

- lLIn combination with a locomotive hav-V ing a cab, a boiler tubeV sheet andV a. side lwall water leg, atblower normally housed within said water leg andinovable to .project out of thesame, said blowerconiprising alcasing having a cleaning fluid inlety and a supply port,-a blowerfheadi'having a Vplurality ofr l discharge nozzles adapted when the blower is projectedtok discharge cleaningfluid to@ ward said tube sheet,and cleaning fluid suplply passagesvtherefor, andmeans controlled from the cab of thelocomotive for relatively moving the blower head and casing Afonel'- i fecting aisuccessive supplyof cleaning fluid fromsaid supply portthrough said passages `to said discharge nozzles.

5.111 .combination with a locomotive Vhaving' a cab,`a,boiler tube sheet and a sidewall water leg, a blower normally vhoused within said water leg and movable .to project out 'of' the saine, said blower comprising acasingY havinga cleaning fluid inl-et and asupply port, ablo'wer headhavinga plurality of discharge nozzles adapted `to discharge. cleaning fludtoward` said tube sheet 'when the blowerfis projected, and cleaning fluidsupply lpassages therefor, .and means controlled from the cab of thelocomotive for' relatively moving the blower'head and casing for effect` ing 'a successive supply ofcleaning fluid from said supply port through fsaid passages to said discharge nozzles, said nozzles beingdi rected' toward said tube sheetandvarying in y angularity with, respectto each other. Y,

" `6. Inl combination witha locomotive having a caband a side wall water leg, a blower normally housed Within said water .leg and movable to proj ec't'ou-tofthe same, said bloIwl er comprising-a1 casing/having a cleaning 'fluid/inletanda supplyfportpa blower head having arzplurality of discharge nozzles andi cleaning :fluid supplyL .passages therefor, said Vnozzles beingadapted to-ldi-scharg'e cleaning Vsaid water; 'leg andmovablexto project outV ofthe `same,isa1d blow-er comprising a I casing having a :cleaning fluid yinletand a supply: port, a blower headyhaving a plurality of disfA charge,` nozzles, and cleaning fluid'supply passages therefor, Asai-d nozzles being adapted to discharge cleaning liuidftoward said tube' sheet `when'ithe bloweris'projected,lineans j operated fromthecab of thelocomotive for oscillating or rotatingtheblower .head for Ycausing l successiva registration Aof 1 Athe said-A cleaningilluid supplypassages'with saidl'supf ply port, andfw'meanszforautdmatically ref;`

blowerhead is 'rotatedzF or oscillated fto; such` nozzles as-'are :suc'cec ively: directedtowardr the tubesheet.. i f

aoV

8. In-combination iwi-'th 1 locomotive.l

ing a cab, aboilertube sheet andY .at side fwall" water leg, ablower normally-housed within said 'water 'leg, c said "blowen: comprising fai casing having? a.; cleaning :inlet and fa` supply port', a blower Ahead havinga plurality, l' of discharge .nozzles andv cleaning -fluidlsjupf ply passages therefor, meanscontrolledfrom .the cab of the locomotive Iforf relativelyi movingI the'. vblower head:l and: casing forY successivelyV supplying cleaning fluid from'llsaid supply port f through ,sai-d, passages to said discharge nozzlesfimeans fore-automatically.

projecting the f blower f ffroiii ,its said -normal positionto position the fblofvvfer;A :head within the fire .boXfofthe locomotivewhenevervv cleanmglfluidissupplied to the blowen-fandmeagns 'for automatically; retractin'g, ,'saidlfblower;

ingl Aacab, a` boiler tube sheetfand' a iside wall water. leg, far blower Areciprocably mounted within said ,f water leg,l `said' blower lcomprisf ing a fixed casing having a; cleaning Huid invlet, andagsupply port, afiblowerhead having a' pl'luralityf5 f ,discharge` nozzles Aadaptedit() 'j be directedijniturn ,towards said tubeslieet and adapted tobe successively fplacedjin com;`

iii

municationffwith;said supply ports/upon reljaf tiveinove'ment. of the blower head and'casing-Q means operable "f-r'omthefcab y,for supplying l I i Icleaningxfluid, to. said supply-gport,v and means operable Ifrorngthe, cab forzjrotating, oroscila lating saidr blower head whereby said successive communication is effected.

' lil In combination with a locomotive having a cab, a boiler tube sheet anda side wall water leg, a blower reciprocably mounted within said water leg, saidblower comprising a fixed casing having a cleaning fluid inlet, and a supplyport, ablower headhaving a plurality of discharge nozzles adapted to be directed in turn towards said tube sheet and. adapted to be successively placed in communication with said supply port upon relative movement ofthe blowerA head and casing, means operable from the cab for supplying cleaning fluidV to said supply port, means acted upon by said cleaning fluid for projecting said blower inwardly toward the firebox ofthe locomotive, andV means operable from the cab.v for rotating or oscillating said blower 'head whereby said. successive come munication is effected.

l1. In combination with a locomotive havinga cab, a boiler tube sheet and va side wall water leg, a blower normally housed within said water leg, said blower comprising a casing having a cleaning fluid inl-et and a supply port,"a blower'had having a plurality ofr discharge nozzles, and .cleaning supply passages therefor, and means'co'ntrolled from the cab of the locomotive for relatively mov,-`

ing the blower` head and casing for successT ively supplying cleaning fluid fromsaid supply port through said passages to said dis! charge nozzles, means controlled from the cab. of the locomotive for controlling the supply of cleaning fluid tosaid'supply port, means actedupon by said cleaningY fluid for projecting saidblower unit beyond said water leg,'and means! for automatically. retracting the blower to its position within the water leg upon shutting oifthe supply of. cle-an- 'l-QA 'boiler cleaner comprising a casing Vhav-ing a cleaning fluid inlet, and a supply port, 'ablower head ournalled in said casing having a plurality of' ports adapted to be' successively placed in communicatin with said supply port upon relative movement of the blew'er liead casing, 'and mea-ns for rotating or .oscillating thebloywer head wheref by said successive communication is effected, the saiiil blower `head por-ts being soV arranged with-respect to thesupply'portfthat Athe clean# ing fiuli'd is not snpplie'd'te'those ports which arne-t direct" toward the' tubefsheet. Y

' '13.'A boier cleaner comprising@ fixed 'do vided with a @issuing #duid inlet .l awning-:fluid Surpilrrassaseemmhf aai-1g therewith, a Meer "maar rotatably -mgiunted in Vsaidcfasin-g'and provided with a plurality onozz'l'e's," a clean-ing fluid supply f'Aass'agefA for leach of said nozzlesformed'in blower member, each of said no zzle su-p- Ply Passages heiss" rectified vwith a' Peet adapted @be eiacs in vblower member.

14:. A boiler cleaner comprising a fixed casing provided with a cleaning fluid inlet and a cleaning fluid supply passage communicating therewith, a blower member rotatably mounted in said casing and provided with a plurality of nozzles, a cleaning fluid supply passage for each of said nozzles formed in said blower' member, each of said nozzle passages being provided with a port adapted to be placed in communication with the cleaning fluid supply passage in said casing, and means to rotate said blower member, said nozzlev supply passage ports being placed in communication with said cleaning fluid supply passage in said casing in sequence, upon rotation of said blower member.

15. The combination with a locomotive prof vided with a fire box, a boiler tubesheet forming one side of said fire box, a water leg forming another side of said fire box, of a blower having a portion housed within said water leg, said blower comprising a casing having acleaning'fluid inlet and a cleaning fluid supply passage connecting therewith, a blower member rotatably mounted in said casing and provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted to discharge jets of cleaning 'fluid toward said boiler tube sheet, a cleaning fluid supply passage for each of said nozzles, each of said passages having an inlet arranged to register with the passage in said casing, and means to rotate said blower member whereby said nozzle supply passages are connected in sequence to said cleaning fluid supply passage.

16. The combination with a locomotive provided with a lire box, a boiler tube sheet forming one side of said fire box, a water leg forming another -side of said fire box, a blower having a portion housed within said water leg, said blower comprisingv a casing` having a cleaning iuid inlet and a cleaning `fluid supply passage connecting therewith,

a blower member rotatably mounted in said casing aud'provided with a plurality of nozzles adapted to discharge jets of cleaning ing ufluid supply passage for each of said nozzles, eachpassag'e being'a-rranged for cou,- nection with the passage in said casing, and Vineens to rotate said blower member, thecounect'ion of said nozzle supply passages to the fluid supply passage in said casing being dependent upon the rotation Vof Ysaid lblower member. A

17 v. A boiler cleaner comprising a Vfixed casing .provided with a cleaning fluid inlet and a ,cleaning fluid supply passage communieating therewith, a blower member rotatably mounted in said casing and provided with a plurality of nozzles, a cleaning fluid supply passage for each Yofi-said nozzles formed in l:

fluid toward said boiler `tube sheet, a cleanlOl) ' easing supply passage being controlled by the n rotation of said blower 'memben t, In testimony whereof I ax my signature. CURTISVL. HOWVSE. t- 

